Spring stretchers



April 28, 1959 F PRATH 2,883,742

SPRING STRETCHERS Filed Aug. 2a, 1956A um "l INVENTOR United States Patent O SPRING STRETCHERS Frank Prath, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 28, 1956, Serial No. 606,653

1 Claim. (Cl. 29227) This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in spring stretchers, and the principal object of the invention is to facilitate convenient and expeditious stretching of tension springs preparatory to their installation.

In particular, the invention concerns itself with a device of this type which is well adapted for use in the installation and removal of springs on hoods of automobiles, and the like, although it is to be understood that the use of the invention is not limited to this environment and that the invention may be effectively employed for stretching helical tension springs of any type.

An important feature of the invention resides in its adaptability to accommodate springs of various diameters and various lengths, while some of the advantages of the invention lie in its simplicity of construction, in its convenient use, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the foregoing more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention resides in the arrangement of parts and details of construction substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 5 is a. cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 5-5 in Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating one of the spring engaging members of the device in a reversed position.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in detail, the spring stretcher is designated generally by the numeral 10 and embodies in its construction an elongated body consisting of two slidably telescoped sections, namely, an outer body section 11 and an inner body section 12. The two body sections are of a polygonal cross-section, whereby to prevent relative rotation thereof about their longitudinal axis.

A first spring engaging member A is provided in a fixed position on the outer body section 11 and consists of a vertically disposed plate 9 provided in its upper edge portion with a substantially Ushaped spring seat or recess 13. Portions of the plate 9 at opposite sides of the seat 13 are equipped with tapered edges 14, whereby the plate may be easily inserted between adjacent coils of a helical tension spring 15, as indicated in Figure 2.

The plate 9 is wider than and projects to both sides of the outer body member or section 11 and is reinforced by substantially triangular gussets 16 having inturned anges 17 at their lower edges. The flanges 17 may be integral wtih the top wall of the body section 11, as illustrated. It is to be noted that when the spring is engaged with the member A, the gussets 16 also func- 2,883,742 Patented Apr. 28, 1959 j, 2 tion as effective guides for preventing lateral shifting or displacement of the spring in the seat 13. The width of the seat and the transverse distance between the gussets 16 are such as to accommodate springs of various diameters.

A second spring engaging member B is adjustably mounted on the inner body section 12 in spaced relation from the member A. The members A and B are similar in construction, the member B including a plate 9 provided with a spring seat 13', tapered edges 14', reinforcing and guide forming gussets 16' and inturned anges 17', all corresponding substantially to the like parts of the member A.

However, rather than being secured directly to the body section 12, the member B is provided with a supporting sleeve 18 of a polygonal cross-section which is slidably and removably positioned on the body section 12. To sustain the member B in a predetermined position on the body section 12, the latter is formed with a plurality of transverse apertures 19 to selectively receive a keeper pin 20 which extends transversely of the sleeve 18.

The outer end of the body section 11 is equipped with a cap 21 having a screw-threaded bore 22 therein to rotatably receive an actuating screw 23. The latter is coaxial with the body of the device and is provided with a convex inner end which abuts a concave seat 24 in the end of the body section 12. It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the screw 23 is rotated, it will exert pressure against the body section 12 and cause the latter to slide outwardly from the body section 11. In this manner, the space or distance between the members A and B will be increased and the spring 15, engaged by these members will be stretched to any desired extent.

To facilitate turning the same, the outer end of the screw 23 is provided with a polygonal head 24 having a screwdriver receiving kerf 25 and a transverse bore 26 for the reception of a suitable hand bar (not shown).

In order to accommodate springs of different lengths, or to engage a particular `spring at differently spaced points along its length, the position of the member B with respect to the body section 12 may be varied. This is effected by simply removing the pin 20 and sliding the member B along the body section 12 to the desired extent, and thereupon reinserting the pin 20 in a selected of the apertures 19. Moreover, as shown in Figure 6, the member B may be removed from the body section 12 and installed thereon in a reversed position in order to gain additional scope of adjustment.

While in the foregoing there has been described and shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure, and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is:

In a spring stretcher, the combination of an elongated body consisting of outer and inner longitudinally aligned and slidably telescoped sections having a polygonal crosssectional configuration whereby to prevent rotation of one relative to the other, a first spring engaging member rigidly secured to the outer body section, an elongated sleeve of polygonal cross-section slidably positioned on the inner body section, a second spring engaging member secured to said sleeve in longitudinally spaced alignment with said first member, means for locking said sleeve against sliding on said inner body section at a predetermined point, said last mentioned means comprising a locking pin removably and selectively received in registering apertures provided in the sleeve and at longitudinally spaced points in the inner body section, and means for 3 4 sliding the inner body section in the outer body section independently of the positioning of the sleeve longitudiwhereby to vary the distance between said first and secnally on said inner body section. ond spring engaging members, `said second spring engag- Refemnces Cited in the me of this patent ing member being disposed closer to one end of said sleeve than to the other, said sleeve being reversibly posi- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tioned on said inner body section whereby the distance 1,468,526 Terroine Sept. 18, 1923 of the second spring engaging member from the rst 1,525,174 England Feb, 3, 1925 spring engaging member may be varied independently of 1,726,958 Jochumsen Sept. 3, 1925 actuation of said means `for sliding the body sections and 2,779,087 Shahan J an. 29, 1957 

